Democrats are increasingly optimistic about their chances in this year’s fall elections in Virginia, believing a deteriorating political environment for the GOP and the specific toxicity of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency in the state could help them deliver a trifecta.
With the gubernatorial matchup in the state set ― former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger will face Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears after they were the only candidates to turn in the required number of signatures ― the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee is out with their plan to maintain the party’s control of the House of Delegates in the state.
Democrats have a 51-49 edge in the chamber now, and the DLCC has already spent $350,000 in the state to lay the groundwork. It’s focusing on defending four swing-district Democrats ― Dels. Josh Thomas, Joshua Cole, Nadarius Clark and Michael Feggans ― while looking for pickup opportunities in Northern Virginia, the Richmond suburbs and the state’s southeast. They also plan to spend at least $1 million and spend in the state’s lieutenant governor race.
Democrats also have a one-seat edge in the state Senate in Virginia. GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin is barred from running for reelection.
The group helped fund ads from the Virginia House Democratic Caucus targeting potentially vulnerable Republicans with digital ads tying them to Musk and DOGE, a fruitful strategy for Democrats in recent downballot races in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
DLCC President Heather Williams said she believed the strategy would only become more effective as voters realized the impact of the cuts, like long-term care facilities for seniors or access to special education.
“I think once those things really start to take shape, Republicans are going to struggle to tell a story of anything other than utter complacency, and Democrats are ready to hold them accountable to that,” Williams told HuffPost.
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In a memo obtained by HuffPost, the DLCC argues Virginia’s races could make a potent testing ground for party messaging, including perhaps further anti-DOGE messages.
“State legislative races are the most immediate opportunity for Democrats to defend and build sustainable power, and Virginia will be the highest profile, most data-rich election of 2025,” the memo reads. “Key messaging and strategies tested in Virginia’s legislative elections will provide important clues about the electorate.”